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Michigan State University Extension is inviting members of the northern tart cherry industry and affiliates to view a harvesting of tart cherries planted in a high density block research trial at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center (NWMHRC), 6686 S. Center Highway, Traverse City, MI 49684, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. The plot was established in 2011 with the support of Project GREEEN and the Michigan Cherry Producers. The planting has six varieties of sour cherry planted 5 x 13 feet. We are experimenting with treatments to maintain trees in a compact canopy to accommodate an over the row harvester used normally to harvest berry crops. This work began in 2008 with the support of the Michigan Cherry Producers to determine the feasibility of this approach to growing and producing sour cherries. The traditional approach maintains trees at greater distances (15-20 feet apart) using trunk shakers and catch frame machinery.

Since 2012, Oxley Farms has cooperated with us in a project to study horticultural approaches to restricting and maintaining a compact canopy, small enough to allow a berry harvester to successfully remove fruit. Oxley Farms allowed us to establish treatments in two rows amounting to over 300 trees. The company purchased a used Korvan 9000, Twin-Tower Rotating-Tine harvester (Oxbo 9000) in 2012 with intent to harvest the planting. We successfully harvested fruit from the planting in 2013. The crop was severely reduced due to spring frosts in 2014. We were successful in developing a protocol for harvesting each group of trees with the machine within treatment parameters while retaining treatment integrity. We were successful in 2015 using the Littau Harvester and will deploy these protocols with the harvesting at the NWHRC on July 29.

November 10, 2016 | Erin Lizotte | Unseasonably warm weather and continued grass growth may be hiding a significant amount of rodent activity. Growers are advised to scout carefully and consider mowing tall undergrowth one more time before snow falls.

November 9, 2016 | Meghan Milbrath | Heroes to Hives aims to support military veterans by teaching the profession of beekeeping. Applications to attend the program can be submitted through Dec. 15, 2016.